Deep-Dish Pepperoni Pizza with Cheddar Blend
A hearty American-style deep-dish pizza loaded with spicy pepperoni and a rich blend of mozzarella and sharp cheddar cheese. This american-inspired pizza ready in about 130 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, warm water, active dry yeast for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 400 g all-purpose flour
- 250 ml warm water
- 7 g active dry yeast
- 1 tsp salt
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 250 g canned tomato sauce
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 100 g pepperoni slices
- 150 g mozzarella cheese shredded
- 100 g sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 1/2 tsp granulated garlic powder
Instructions
- Step 1: Combine 7 g active dry yeast with 250 ml warm water (110°F) and 1 tsp salt in a bowl. Let it sit for 7 minutes until foamy.
- Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, add 400 g all-purpose flour and pour in the yeast mixture along with 3 tbsp olive oil. Mix until a sticky dough forms.
- Step 3: Knead the dough on a floured surface for 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise for 1.5 hours until doubled.
- Step 4: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Lightly oil a 9-inch deep-dish pizza pan.
- Step 5: Press the risen dough into the pan, pushing it up the sides to form a thick crust.
- Step 6: Spread 250 g canned tomato sauce evenly over the dough, then sprinkle 1 tsp dried oregano and 1/2 tsp garlic powder on top.
- Step 7: Layer 100 g pepperoni slices evenly over the sauce, then top with 150 g shredded mozzarella and 100 g shredded sharp cheddar cheese.
- Step 8: Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted and bubbling.
- Step 9: Remove from oven, let cool 5 minutes, slice, and serve.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Deep-Dish Pepperoni Pizza with Cheddar Blend take to make?
Total time is about 130 minutes (100 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Deep-Dish Pepperoni Pizza with Cheddar Blend?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep all-purpose flour from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Deep-Dish Pepperoni Pizza with Cheddar Blend?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Deep-Dish Pepperoni Pizza with Cheddar Blend for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Deep-Dish Pepperoni Pizza with Cheddar Blend?
American pizza like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.